Summer means sunshine, time with family and friends while socializing at cookouts, beach/pool time, and endless memories. I wanted to do a DIY that can be incorporated into all of these things this summer. That is when I saw painted cement coasters for that fabulous drink of yours that you are enjoying in the sunshine. I thought it would be the perfect addition for your summer festivities! If you like a DIY project that you can work on a bit at a time (due to only having time here and there), this is the project for you! Get ready to get your hands a little dirty.
Materials and Tools
* Baking sheet (You can use a shallow muffin pan also but I could never find one!)
* Wax paper
* Quick drying cement
* Bucket
* Stirring stick
* Acrylic paint
* Paintbrush
* Paper cups or mason jar lids
* Mod Podge
Instructions:
This is where you decide to use paper cups or mason jar lids. If you have mason jar lids, they are easier because you simply place them on the baking sheet. The cups you will have to cut first! I will show both.
1. Take your paper cups (I used ice cream cups for a bigger circle) and cut off the rim of the cup leaving 3/4 of an inch in height. You need enough cup left to pour the cement into!
2. Prep your baking sheet by lining it with wax paper.
3. Place your cups or your mason jar lids on top of the wax paper.
4. Cover your cups or mason jar lids with another sheet of wax paper.
**You will notice later in the tutorial that I cut 4 sheets of wax paper for each circle. I found that it was easier with four individual sheets but either way works. **
5. Mix your cement in the bucket according to instructions. Remember to put the water in the bucket first and then mix the cement in!
**My instructions stated to put 5 parts cement to 1 part water. I ended up adding more water until I got a smooth consistency that also made it easier to pour into the circles.
6. SLOWLY pour the cement into the circles. Be careful as to not over pour or it will not take on the desired circular shape.
7. Gently pull and shake the sides of the wax paper to remove air bubbles. Allow cement to dry for 24 hours.
**This is when you go pamper yourself with gal time, a manicure, or sitting pool side while your coasters dry! **
8. After your cement coasters have dried, time to peel! The wax paper peels off with hardly any effort. If a few pieces of wax paper get stuck in the creases of the cement, use tweezers to pluck it out!
9. Now for the fun and creative part: painting! If you don't have the patience for painting (although you did wait 24 hours for this project to dry), you can always use spray paint and stencils. I personally loved to used acrylic paint.
As you're painting, think of a common theme and use complimentary colors among your set of coasters. This will make for a great gift and/or a conversation starter by doing so. I used a tribal theme using white, gold, burnt orange, and a mint teal for my coasters.
Additional option: To make sure the paint on your fabulous coasters last, paint a coat or two of Mod Podge over the coasters to protect them. Mod Podge does dries clear!
Now get busy making your own adorable coasters! If you have more then one pan, make multiple sets at a time.
I would love to see the coasters you create. Post them to Instagram using the #lgdlove. You can also post them on the LGD Facebook page! Links below:
Instagram: @ElizabethRishel
Facebook: Lima Green Designs
Enjoy!
Elizabeth
